Foster City limits the terms of the members of the Foster City Council to two consecutive four-year terms (eight years in a row). This limit was adopted in 1996. If Measure W had been approved, the limit would have been changed so that members of the city council could serve for three consecutive four-year terms (twelve years in a row).

Election results

Support

The official ballot argument in favor of allowing city council members to serve on the city council for twelve years in a row was signed by:

John Kiramis, Mayor

Rick Wykoff, Vice Mayor

Pam Frisella, member of the Foster City Council

Art Kiesel, member of the Foster City Council

Linda Koelling, member of the Foster City Council

They said, "Term limits were put in place
due to voter resentment towards career politicians. We are beginning to see the effects of term limits
as they have played a role on the State level relative to the recent budget debacle. At the local level,
interested individuals are eager and dedicated to serve their community. The potential of serving up
to three full terms (12 years) allows councilmembers to fulfill their goals in representing their city.
In a small city like ours, councilmembers are our neighbors and we have easy accessibility to voice
our opinions. The power of our vote should determine whether a public servant serves 1, 2 or 3
terms. When the voters have deemed councilmembers were not doing the job of the people, they
were not re-elected. The potential to having a longer term in office allows the councilmember to
follow long-term projects as they affect the community. Two terms or eight years in succession is
not often long enough to see these projects through. With the political climate on the state level
being in disarray, it is important that the local level of government remain stable."

Path to the ballot

The members of the Foster City Council voted in May 2009 to place Measure W before the city's voters.

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

Measure U: "Shall an ordinance of the People increasing the number of terms a Member of the City Council may serve from two full terms (8 years) in succession to three full terms (12 years) in succession be approved?"[1]